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Gutter guards for pine needles prevent pesky build-up, saving you from drainage issues that can affect your roofing system or foundation. Since pine trees typically shed about one-third of their needles from late summer to early winter, a tree too close to the home spells bad news.
While standard gutter guards will block larger leaves and twigs, they won’t stop pine needles from reaching the gutters. Instead, you need a micro-mesh gutter covering meant to protect against even the smallest debris.
Our favorite option is the Raptor Gutter Guard Stainless Steel Micro-Mesh. According to Bob Vila writer and product tester, Tom Scalisi, this easy-to-install gutter guard allowed water to flow into the gutters while keeping all debris out. “During testing, most of the debris washed down the roof, onto the Raptor gutter guard, and off. What debris did remain brushed off easily, thanks to the micro mesh’s tiny spaces,” he said.
Ahead, we’ll examine what features make this type of guard so effective at keeping pine needles out and review some of the best gutter guards for pine needles.
- BEST OVERALL: Raptor Gutter Guard Stainless Steel Micro-Mesh
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Amerimax Home Products Micro-Mesh Gutter Guard
↓ Jump to Review - UPGRADE PICK: LeafTek Gutter Guard Leaf Protection
↓ Jump to Review - BEST DESIGN: Superior Gutter Guards Stainless Steel Gutter Cover
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR WIDER GUTTERS: Gutter Guard by Gutterglove
↓ Jump to Review
Our Top Picks
All the gutter guards below feature designs that effectively keep pine needles out of a home’s gutters. They are constructed of either micro-mesh or rigid aluminum sheet construction and have DIY-friendly installation procedures.
Best Overall
Raptor Gutter Guard Stainless Steel Micro-Mesh
Product Specs
- Material: Stainless steel micro-mesh
- Length per box: 48 feet (Twelve 4-foot pieces)
- Width: 5.625 inches (Fits 5-inch gutters and smaller)
What We Like
- Tight mesh construction blocks fine dirt
- V-shaped trough prevents water from spilling over side
- Easy-to-follow installation instructions
- Simple to remove for cleaning
What We Don’t Like
- More expensive than other options
- No pre-drilled installation holes
With a design that’s effective against small debris and easy for DIYers to install, the Raptor Gutter Guard is a great option for those looking to avoid annual gutter cleanings. It’s equipped with easy-to-follow instructions written for newbies, and installation requires only the tools most homeowners have in their garage.
Raptor Gutter Guard consists of stainless steel mesh tight enough to keep out even fine shingle grit. The guard has a V-shape that creates a trough that runs the length of the guard, directing rainwater to the gutters and preventing it from flowing over the side. Its mesh material is supported by durable aluminum rails that clip into the gutter and are secured by screws.
What our tester says: Tom Scalisi, a Bob Vila writer and product tester, notes in the Raptor Gutter Guard Tested Review that “Based on the convenience and prevention factors alone, the Raptor gutter guard system is worth the money. Add in the durability and longevity of corrosion-resistant aluminum and stainless steel, $2.40 per linear foot seems to be more than a fair price to pay for the protection and simplicity the Raptor gutter guard system provides.”
Get the Raptor Gutter Guard on Amazon or Raptor Gutter Guard.
Best Bang for the Buck
Amerimax Home Products Micro-Mesh Gutter Guard
Product Specs
- Material: PVC
- Total length: 3 feet
- Width: 6.25 inches
What We Like
- Affordably priced gutter protection
- Mesh construction effective for pine needles
- Easy self install gutter guards
- Attractive white color
What We Don’t Like
- Not as strong as a metal gutter guard
Installing an entire house’s worth of gutter guards can be expensive, even for those who do the installation themselves. This PVC vinyl gutter guard from Amerimax Home Products is a more affordable option than its higher-priced aluminum and stainless steel counterparts. It consists of a layer of PVC with larger, small diamond-shaped holes supporting a mesh screen backing that keeps out fine debris and pine needles.
We like that installation for this gutter guard is easy and requires no tools. Simply slide the flat side under the shingles and snap the front end onto the front lip of the gutter. With a white color that matches most gutters, soffits, and fascia, this guard is also a good choice for low roofs in which the top of the gutter is visible.
What our tester says: Tony Carrick, a Bob Vila writer and product tester, notes in the Best Micro Mesh Gutter Guards that the Amerimax snap-in gutter guards are easy enough for even the newest DIYer to install. He also stated, “With the fine mesh underlay, this is the ideal product for someone battling pine needles in their gutters.”
Get the Amerimax Home Products Micro-Mesh Gutter Guard at The Home Depot or Amazon (pk of 25).
Upgrade Pick
LeafTek Gutter Guard Leaf Protection
Pros
- Rigid aluminum construction is very strong
- Baked enamel finish adds durability
- Ridged design promotes airflow into the gutter
Cons
- Holes won’t keep out fine dirt and debris
- Longer installation process than other gutter guard types
Product Specs
- Material: Aluminum
- Total length: 100 feet (Twenty-five 4-foot sections)
- Width: 5 or 6 inches
Though they’re one of the most expensive options on the market, LeafTek’s covers for rain gutters are also among the toughest. Each sheet is covered in small holes capable of keeping out pesky pine needles, though it’s important to note they won’t block fine dirt. The guard’s ribbed shape adds strength while allowing wind to circulate into the gutter to aid in drying. A baked enamel finish protects the guards from rust and corrosion.
LeafTek guards have instructions tailored to DIYers; however, they take longer to install than other guard types since they must be secured to both the lip and back of the gutter with screws.
What our tester says: Glenda Taylor, a Bob Vila staff writer and product tester, notes in the Best Gutter Guards that while difficult to install, the guards performed well. “Once installed, we liked how these gutters looked and performed. LeafTek guards aren’t visible from below, nor do they create any odd bulges under the shingles. And since they’re held together with so many screws, these guards aren’t going to easily shift, warp, or pop out.”
Get the LeafTek Gutter Guard on Amazon.
Best Design
Superior Gutter Guards Stainless Steel Gutter Cover
Product Specs
- Material: Stainless steel and aluminum
- Total length: 48 feet (Sixteen 3-foot lengths)
- Width: 5 inches
What We Like
- Raised design sheds debris
- Durable aluminum and stainless steel gutter guard
- Mesh pattern keeps fine debris out
What We Don’t Like
- Expensive compared to other options
Although gutter guards may stop leaves from getting into the gutter, they can also create a shelf that causes debris to build up on top of them. This innovative design from Superior Gutter Guards has a patterned surface to shed that debris. This pine needle gutter guard consists of fine stainless steel mesh with a raised pattern that resists debris while directing water down into the gutter.
The mesh is supported by two aluminum rails that attach to the lip of the gutter with self-tapping metal screws, giving it sturdy supports on both sides. Superior Gutters are designed for DIYers with easy-to-follow instructions and an installation that can be completed with a cordless screwdriver.
What our tester says: Tony Carrick, a Bob Vila writer and product tester, notes in the Best Micro Mesh Gutter Guards that “Although it’s lightweight for installation purposes, we found this gutter guard to be durable enough to withstand heavy rainstorms and snowfall. The mesh is formed so it has multilevel channels to capture rainwater and prevent runoff during heavy storms.”
Get the Superior Gutter Guards Stainless Steel Gutter Cover on Amazon.
Best for Wider Gutters
Gutter Guard by Gutterglove
Pros
- Trough V-shape adds strength for wider gutters
- 2 installation options
- Fits wider gutters
Cons
- More expensive than other gutter guard options
Product Specs
- Material: Stainless steel
- Total length: 40 feet (Ten 4-foot pieces)
- Width: 7.25 inches
In addition to covering wide 6-inch and 7-inch gutters, Gutter Guard sets itself apart from other micro mesh guards with its V-bend technology. This design feature, which consists of small bends that run horizontally across the guard, creates a more rigid surface that can bridge the sides of wider gutters without bowing under the weight of debris.
As with other mesh guards, we like that Gutter Guard consists of tight stainless steel mesh that prevents even fine dirt from passing through. The gutter has a trough design that directs water into the gutter, preventing it from flowing over the side. Gutter Guard gives the user two options for attaching the guards to the gutters—3M VHB tape or self-tapping metal screws.
Get the Gutter Guard by Gutterglove at The Home Depot.
How We Chose the Best Gutter Guards for Pine Needles
We considered a variety of factors in reviewing more than a dozen leaf guards for gutters. While cleaning gutters is a pain, cleaning clogged gutters covered by a gutter guard is nearly impossible. With that in mind, we limited our search to designs that would prevent pine needles and other small debris from passing through them and filling up the gutters.
Installation was also a key factor in our selections. Like standard gutter installation costs, professional gutter guard installation is very expensive. In many cases, it doesn’t make sense when compared to the cost of a professional annual gutter cleaning, so we limited our search to gutter guards that cater to DIYers with simple installation processes and easy-to-follow instructions. Finally, we selected gutter guards with durable designs that will hold up to the weight of any debris that collects on top of them.
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Gutter Guards for Pine Needles
Understanding what type of gutter protection systems will work with pine needles and what types won’t is crucial when shopping for gutter guards. Ahead learn more about gutter guard options and other important factors, such as materials and installation that will make the right type of gutter guards worth it.
Types of Gutter Guards
Cleaning out clogged gutters is a tough job—one that’s even tougher when the gutters are covered by gutter guards, so purchasing guards that are effective against pine needles and small debris is critical.
The most affordable gutter guards consist of a plastic screen that covers the top of the gutter or a brush that sits inside the gutter. While these types of guards are an effective way to keep larger debris out, they won’t work against pine needles or fine dirt and grit, which will pass right through them.
Rigid guards made from painted aluminum sheeting perforated with holes are a good option. The guard’s heavy-gauge metal construction is strong enough to resist warping or bending from any debris that may collect on top of it. When shopping for an aluminum guard, make sure the holes are small enough to prevent pine needles from passing through.
Micro-mesh is the best type of rain gutter guards for pine needles. These guards consist of fine stainless steel or vinyl mesh that can block not only pine needles but also dirt as fine as sand while still allowing water to pass through. These guards typically have a V-shaped trough that guides water into the gutter, preventing it from flowing over the sides.
Foam gutter guards may also temporarily block pine needles but are quick to deteriorate and difficult to install.
Material and Durability
Roof gutter guards are made from PVC, aluminum, or stainless steel mesh. Of these materials, stainless steel mesh is the best option. It’s rust-proof, resists bending and bowing under heavy weight, and is fine enough to prevent dirt from passing through. However, stainless steel gutters are usually the most expensive option.
Aluminum gutter guards consist of aluminum sheets perforated with holes and coated in baked enamel paint. While this sturdy construction makes them one of the strongest options, they are also among the most expensive.
PVC is much more affordable than either aluminum or stainless steel; however, it’s also more susceptible to cracking in cold weather or sagging under the weight of any debris that may collect on top of it.
No Holes, Gaps, or Openings
Gutter guards with large holes won’t be able to stop pine needles from passing through or getting stuck in the holes. When selecting a gutter guard, look for those that use micro-mesh or have small holes. While perforated aluminum gutter guards will keep pine needles out of the gutters, they will still allow tiny debris to pass through. Micro-mesh is as fine as some fabrics, which makes it capable of preventing pine needles and even fine dirt from passing through.
Installation and Maintenance
It used to be that micro-mesh or aluminum gutter guard costs were high when it came to professional installation, pricing many homeowners out of such a home improvement. But with more and more manufacturers designing gutter guards that the average homeowner can install, these high-end gutter guards are much more affordable.
PVC gutters typically require no tools and install by snapping onto the lip of your home’s gutter. Metal gutter guards must be attached to the gutter using self-tapping screws and a cordless screwdriver. While this makes for a more involved installation process, it’s a job most DIYers can handle.
The key to ensuring gutter guards work properly is to periodically brush off any debris that may get caught on top of them. While guards prevent debris from getting into the gutter, small branches and twigs can get caught on the guard, creating a dam that prevents debris from passing over them.
FAQs
If you’re wondering if the best gutter guards work with pine needles, how often to clean your gutters, or if you have another common question, read on for answers.
Homes with tall pine trees on the property will receive a steady rain of pine needles from late summer to early winter. These needles can quickly clog gutters, preventing your home’s drainage system from working properly. Gutter guards keep your gutters functioning as they should by keeping those pine needles at bay.
That depends on the type of gutter guard. Standard gutter guards won’t prevent pine needles and other small debris from clogging the gutters, requiring you to remove the guards in order to clear them out. Micro-mesh prevents you from having to clean gutters by keeping out all dirt.
No. The holes in regular gutter systems are too large to prevent pine needles and other small debris from passing through to the gutter.
If you don’t have mesh gutter guards, you’ll need to clean pine needles out of your gutters every three months to ensure they don’t cause drainage issues.
Yes, you can mulch pine needles with a lawn mower or leaf mulcher. It’s best to mulch pine needles when they’re dry. An alternate removal method is to use a rake for pine needles and then bag and dispose of the collected debris.
Pine needles can decompose in anywhere from six months to three years. For example, pine needles in a compost pile decompose quicker, often in less than a year, while thick layers on forest floors may take more than two years.
Micro mesh gutter guards are worth it for those with pine trees flanking their homes or who experience frequent storms and wind-blown debris. Micro mesh is among the most effective gutter guards for keeping gutters clog-free.
